HUME EUROPEAN OPPORTUNITIES FUND. SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR EUROPEAN WEALTH INVESTMENT FUND plc

Transcription

1 HUME EUROPEAN OPPORTUNITIES FUND SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR EUROPEAN WEALTH INVESTMENT FUND plc This document supplements the current prospectus for European Wealth Investment Fund plc (the Company) dated 4 March 2014 (the Prospectus). This supplement contains specific information in relation to the Hume European Opportunities Fund (the Sub-Fund), a sub-fund of the Company, an umbrella fund with segregated liability between sub-funds and an open-ended investment company with variable capital authorised as a UCITS pursuant to the provisions of the European Communities (Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations 2011 (as amended). At the date of this supplement, the Company has two other sub-funds, namely Hume Global Opportunities Fund and European Wealth Sterling Bond Fund. The following provisions of this supplement contain particulars relating to the Sub-Fund. Information in this supplement is selective, it forms part of and should be read in conjunction with the full text of the Prospectus, which is available from the Administrator at 1 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. All defined terms herein have the meaning set forth in the Prospectus. The Company offers other sub-funds, more fully described in separate supplements, and the Directors may launch other sub-funds subject to the prior approval of the Central Bank at various times in the future. Investors' attention is drawn to the section entitled Risk Factors in the Prospectus. The Directors of the Company, whose names appear in the section of the Prospectus entitled Directors of the Company, accept responsibility for the information contained in this supplement and in the Prospectus. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case) the information contained in this supplement and in the Prospectus is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. The Directors accept responsibility accordingly. The shares of the Company which constitute shares in the Sub-Fund, issued and to be issued, are listed on the official list of the Irish Stock Exchange. The Directors do not anticipate that an active secondary market in such shares will develop. Date: 4 March

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INVESTMENT MANAGER INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES PROFILE OF A TYPICAL INVESTOR INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS BORROWING RISK FACTORS KEY INFORMATION FOR PURCHASING AND REPURCHASING PURCHASES OF SHARES REPURCHASES OF SHARES DIVIDEND POLICY CHARGES AND EXPENSES LISTING... 7 M

3 1. INVESTMENT MANAGER Hume Capital Management Limited (the Investment Manager) is established under the laws of England and Wales since 2001 as a private limited company with its registered address at 24 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND, United Kingdom. The ultimate parent of the Investment Manager is Hume Capital LLP, an investment management business with around $450 million in assets under management. The Investment Manager is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and has extensive experience providing asset management services to clients in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East. 2. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES The investment objective of the Sub-Fund is to achieve long term capital growth. The Sub-Fund will primarily invest in a diversified portfolio of equities and equity related securities (including ADRs and GDRs) of companies which are either incorporated, listed or carry on business dealt in or traded on Markets (as defined in the Prospectus) in member states of the EU, Switzerland, and Norway or which are otherwise permitted for this Sub-Fund. The Investment Manager reserves the right to amend the above list of countries at any time to reflect investment in Europe. Any amendment to this list will be notified in the periodic reports of the Sub- Fund. From time to time, when particular opportunities are identified, or the Investment Manager considers it appropriate, the Sub-Fund may invest up to 20% of its Net Asset Value (NAV) in equities or equity related securities (as described above) which are incorporated, listed or carry on business dealt in or traded on Markets in countries other than those listed above, including less developed or emerging markets. The Sub-Fund may also, from time to time, invest in other transferable securities such as convertible bonds, units in collective investment schemes, as permitted by the Central Bank's Notices, which give exposure to the asset classes listed in this section such as equities, equity related securities of companies which the Investment Manager believes will be cost effective or otherwise in the best interests of the Sub-Fund. The Sub-Fund may invest in other UCITS and non-ucits open-ended collective investment schemes, including exchange traded funds (ETF), subject to the limits set out in Investment Restrictions below, in the Prospectus and the requirements of the Central Bank Notices and Guidance Note 2/03. Such investments will be used to gain exposure to the asset classes described above such as equities, equity related securities of companies. The Sub-Fund may also hold ancillary liquid assets, such as cash, bank deposits, and listed or traded short term paper including treasury bills and bankers' acceptances but the Investment Manager would not expect to retain substantial amounts of assets in these forms except if such investments were considered to be in the best interests of the shareholders in the Sub-Fund. Cash may be held in different currencies according to expectations for the directional movement of foreign exchange rates. Investments will be selected by the Investment Manager on an unconstrained basis in terms of market capitalisation or industry sector. 3. PROFILE OF A TYPICAL INVESTOR The Sub-Fund is suitable for investors seeking long-term total return through investment in a focused portfolio of equities or equity related securities which are quoted on a Market in the EU, Switzerland and Norway or in Markets which are otherwise permitted for the Sub-Fund and which are described in the Investment Objective and Policies section. Potential investors should be willing to accept capital risk and the high volatility associated with equity markets. The Sub-Fund should generally be regarded as a long-term investment as the price of shares can go down as well as up and are not guaranteed. 4. INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS M

4 The general investment restrictions as set out in the section of the Prospectus entitled Investment Restrictions shall apply. In addition the Sub-Fund will not invest in any un-quoted securities. In addition the Sub-Fund may not, in aggregate, invest more than 10% of its NAV in collective investment schemes. The Directors may from time to time impose such further investment restrictions as shall be compatible with or in the interests of shareholders, in order to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries where shareholders are located. 5. BORROWING The Sub-Fund may only borrow on a temporary basis up to 10% of its NAV at any time and may secure such borrowings by granting security over the assets of the Sub-Fund. Such borrowings shall not be made for investment purposes, nor form any part of a medium or long term strategy, but such facilities will be available for management of short-term liquidity needs. 6. RISK FACTORS In addition to the Risk Factors set out in the Prospectus, the following apply to the Sub-Fund: 6.1. Collective Investment Schemes and ETFs The Sub-Fund may invest in units of other UCITS or non-ucits collective investment schemes, including ETFs, to gain exposure to a portion of a foreign market subject to the Investment Restrictions. An ETF is a type of investment company or trust bought and sold on a securities exchange and generally represents a relatively fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. As a shareholder of an ETF, the Sub-Fund would bear its pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the fees and other expenses that the Sub-Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations Convertible Securities The risks associated with convertible securities, are similar to the risks associated with normal bonds and options, i.e. there is interest rate risk (the interest rate associated with the bond is below the prevailing market rate), credit risk (the bond par value is not paid back in part or in full), liquidity risk (the bond may not trade frequently with a resulting large spread between the price at which bonds are sold or purchased). 7. KEY INFORMATION FOR PURCHASING AND REPURCHASING 7.1. Classes of Shares The following classes of shares are currently available for subscription: Class A Shares (Class A) Class B Shares (Class B) (together, the Shares) 7.2. How to Buy Shares Class A and Class B are continuously available for subscription at the NAV per Share on each Dealing Day. The Company may, in calculating the issue price add, (i) a charge sufficient to cover stamp duties and taxes (if any) in respect of the issue of shares (ii) a charge in respect of fiscal and purchase charges on investments and (iii) an initial charge (where relevant) as set out below Information Regarding the Sub-Fund M

5 Base Currency Sterling Business Day and Dealing Day A day on which banks in Dublin and London are open for normal business. Dealing Deadline Noon (Irish time) on each Dealing Day. Minimum Sub-Fund Size Stg 1,000,000 or such other amount as the Directors may determine. Reporting Tax Status It is the Directors intention to apply annually to the UK Revenue for UK Reporting Tax Status for the Sub-Fund. Settlement Date In the case of subscription(s) cleared funds must be received on or before the fifth Business Day following the relevant Dealing Day. In the case of repurchases where no certificates have issued, proceeds will usually be paid (by wire transfer to a specified account at the shareholder's risk and expense or by negotiable instrument) within five Business Days after the receipt of the relevant duly signed repurchase documentation and where certificates have issued usually within five (and in any event no later than ten) Business Days after the receipt of the relevant certificates duly signed on the reverse side. Valuation Point Noon (Irish time) on each Dealing Day. Minimum Initial Subscription, Minimum Additional Subscription and Minimum Holding Amounts The minimum initial subscription amounts, the minimum additional subscription amounts and the minimum holding amounts are as follows: Class Minimum Initial Subscription Amount Minimum Additional Subscription Amount Minimum Holding Amount Class A 1, ,000 Class B 250, ,000 The Directors may for each relevant class of share waive such minimum initial subscription, minimum holding and minimum additional subscription amounts in their absolute discretion. In the case of a repurchase request which would have the effect of reducing the value of any holding of shares by any shareholder relating to any class of share below the minimum holding amount, the Company reserves the right to treat such request as a redemption of the shareholder's entire holding. 8. PURCHASES OF SHARES An application to purchase shares must be made on the Application Form, and be submitted to the Administrator, by post or by facsimile, to be received by the Administrator on or prior to the Dealing Deadline for the relevant Dealing Day. Applications by facsimile will be treated as definite orders, however, the original thereof must be sent promptly by courier or post to the Administrator. No application will be capable of withdrawal after acceptance by the Company. Unless the Company otherwise agrees payment for shares in the Sub-Fund must be received in cleared funds by the Settlement Date in the Base Currency. For further information please read the section of the Prospectus entitled Application for Shares. M

6 9. REPURCHASES OF SHARES Requests for the repurchase of shares must be made in writing and be submitted to the Administrator by post or by facsimile on or prior to the Dealing Deadline for the relevant Dealing Day. Repurchase requests made by facsimile will be treated as definite. A repurchase request once given will not be capable of revocation without the consent of the Directors. Payment of the proceeds of repurchase will only be made on receipt by the Administrator of the original subscription application form and all documentation required by the Administrator (including any documents in connection with anti-money laundering procedures), and the anti-money laundering procedures have been completed, together with the original share certificate, if any, issued in respect of the relevant shares. For further information please read the section of the Prospectus entitled Repurchases of Shares. 10. DIVIDEND POLICY The Directors intend to declare a dividend once a year. It is anticipated that dividends will be declared in January each year from all net income of the Sub-Fund for the preceding financial year. Dividends payable to shareholders will be re-invested by subscription for additional shares in the Sub-Fund unless shareholders specifically request that dividends be paid by cheque or telegraphic transfer at the expense of the shareholders. Dividends payable by cheque or transfer will be paid as promptly as practical and in any event within four months of it being declared by the Directors. Additional shares will be issued to shareholders at a price calculated in the same way as for other issues of the relevant class of share on the same day but without incurring any initial charge. There is no minimum of such further shares which may be so subscribed. 11. CHARGES AND EXPENSES Dilution Adjustment Please refer to the section entitled Calculation of Dilution Adjustment in the Prospectus Investment Manager The following charges will apply to Class A and Class B: Class Initial Charge* Repurchase Charge Switch Charge Annual Charge Current Maximum Class A 5.25% None Each shareholder is 1.5% 2% Class B 1% None entitled to two free switches in each year. Thereafter a switch charge of up to 1% of the total issue price of the shares issued may be charged which will be payable to the Investment Manager or as it may direct. 0.75% 1% *The initial charge will be payable to the Investment Manager or its appointees or as the Investment Manager may direct. The Investment Manager may agree at its discretion to rebate all or a portion of its charges (including the initial, switch, redemption and annual charge) with respect to certain shareholders or applicant shareholders of the Sub-Fund. Any such rebate will not entitle other shareholders to a similar rebate. The Company shall pay from the assets of the Sub-Fund an annual charge which is accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears to the Investment Manager at rates set out above, as a percentage of the NAV. No performance fee will be payable to the Investment Manager. The annual rate of the charge paid by M

7 the Company to the Investment Manager may be increased up to a maximum (as set out above), by agreement between the Company and the Investment Manager but will not be increased without at least 30 days written notice being given to holders of shares. The Investment Manager will be entitled to receive payment of its own out of pocket expenses Custodian and Administrator The Company shall pay from the assets of the Sub-Fund the following fees to the Custodian and the Administrator together with value added tax thereon, if applicable. The Custodian shall be entitled to a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears at the annual rate of up to 0.08% of the gross asset value of the Sub-Fund (being the NAV plus borrowings, if any) which fee will be subject to a minimum annual fee of 20,000. The Administrator shall be entitled to a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears at the annual rate of up to 0.15% of the gross asset value of the Sub-Fund (being the NAV plus borrowings, if any). The Administrator will be entitled to a minimum annual fee of 30,000. The Custodian and Administrator shall be entitled to be reimbursed their properly incurred reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, from the assets of the Sub-Fund. To the extent that such charges and expenses may include the fees and expenses of any sub-custodian, these will be charged at normal commercial rates. The Administrator shall also be entitled to transaction fees relating to shareholder activity and the Custodian will be entitled to transaction fees relating to investment activity and in each case such fees shall be at normal commercial rates. The Administrator and Custodian are further entitled to charge fees as agreed with the Company for provision of reporting services required under the Regulations, such fees being charged at normal commercial rates. For preparation of the Company's financial statements the Administrator charges a fee, as agreed with the Company, which shall be at normal commercial rates and will be apportioned between all sub-funds of the Company. 12. LISTING As at the date of this supplement, the following share classes of the Sub-Fund issued and available for issue were admitted to the Official List and trading on the main securities market of the Irish Stock Exchange on the dates indicated below. Class A: 27 January 2005 No application has been made to list the Shares of the Sub-Fund on any other exchange. It is not expected that an active secondary market will develop in the Shares. M